“A clear case of transparency”
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Niall Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Freedom Centre, said before the hearing that it was “a clear case of transparency and accountability from the Biden administration.”
“No one should be above the law when it comes to applying for immigration status in the United States,” Gardiner said.
in additionalThe Duke of Sussex sparked controversy when he admitted to using cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
Questions have been raised about whether he lied on his US visa application or whether he received preferential treatment by officials because of his high profile.
The foundation sought “all records in Prince Harry’s alien registration file” including “any applications for immigration benefits” and “all records relating to any waiver applications by Prince Harry.”
In a lawsuit, the Heritage Foundation said: “[The case] It comes first and foremost because His Royal Highness [His Royal Highness] Voluntarily – and for enormous profit – admit in writing elements of any number of controlled substance violations. (In fact, some say His Royal Highness has approached the point of showing off and encouraging illicit drug use.)
“The Duke of Sussex did so despite the fact that it is widely known that such admission could have negative immigration consequences for non-citizens and despite the employment of prominent legal advisers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The session will hear the arguments of both parties.
Gardiner said the privacy argument was “preposterous” given that Prince Harry has published his drug use in his book and has previously given interviews to US media about his private life.
“This is really important to Americans,” Gardiner said. “This case raises many issues, such as whether or not people get any special treatment when coming to the United States, and whether or not the rule of law is applied equally.”
He added: “The issue of immigration in the United States has become the number one issue in the presidential elections. The American people expect their leader to strictly enforce immigration law, and this should apply to anyone entering the United States, including royals like Prince Harry.
“The records are particularly sensitive.”
DHS said in a lawsuit that it “cannot confirm or deny whether there are any other records indicating this.” [Heritage] “They are investigating the existence because merely acknowledging these records would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harry’s privacy.” Newsweek
“The records are particularly sensitive because their release, even in part, would reveal Prince Harry’s status in the United States, which Prince Harry has not disclosed,” court documents said.
Nigella Lawson was banned from traveling to the United States in 2014 after admitting to using cocaine and smoking marijuana.
“Courts always hold that a person’s visa or immigration status is private, and personal information is exempt from disclosure.”
In April 2014, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson was banned from traveling to the United States after she admitted to using cocaine and smoking marijuana.
The Department of Homeland Security said at the time that foreign nationals who admitted to drug crimes could be deemed inadmissible under US law to enter the country.
The ban was later lifted in June 2024 so that Lawson could travel to the United States and film a new series of her cooking competition. Taste of USA.
Prince Harry said last February that he had considered obtaining American citizenship.
In an interview on Good morning AmericaThe Duke said he had “no idea” what was stopping him from doing so.
He added: “This idea has crossed my mind but it is not a top priority at the moment.”
Giving up his title
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However, he risks being deprived of his citizenship because the drugs he admitted to taking are banned or strictly controlled in the United States.
According to policy published by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, any application would require him to give up his title.
The Sussexes left the UK in October 2019 and stayed at a friend's house in Canada for an extended family holiday. They then traveled to California, and in January 2020 they announced that they would be withdrawing from the working royal family.
They have since bought their own house in Montecito, with a mortgage, where they live with their two children.
It is understood that the Duchess began the process of applying for British citizenship during her short time in Britain, but did not complete it. She remains a US citizen and the children are said to have dual citizenship.
US immigration policy states that “any applicant holding any hereditary titles or offices of nobility in any foreign country must renounce the title or office.”
The Telegraph, London
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